So Long, Goodbye, Auf Wiedersehen, Adieu! So it’s over. 2006 is banished to the history books, but not before actions are taken, players are released, and a shake-up of the organisation is undertaken. Christmas Eve in Cleveland saw the Buccaneers roll back the years, putting in a vintage performance; the D was great, A-Train was involved in a big way, and ol’ 55 took one back to the house for old times’ sake. Sure, Alstott didn’t put up huge numbers, and he didn’t score a touchdown – however having three men rush you before you hit the line of scrimmage doesn’t bode well in anyone’s aim for obtaining positive yardage. #40 will probably retire this off-season, although not for want of trying. The determination is still there, but the speed has deserted him – the TD in Chicago saw that, as is the fact he rarely makes it to the line of scrimmage on short yardage attempts before being stopped short. Mike is a Tampa hero, a ‘man of the people’ if you will. A-Train bleeds pewter and popsicle, and we’ve been lucky to have him with us for over a decade. I only wish we could have given him a winning season to bow out with. Nonetheless, his pocket protection at Browns Stadium was outstanding, with one block late on allowing Timmeh the Rat to have a nap, open a bottle of chardonnay, have a glass or two, put his helmet back on, run back to the ball and throw a pass off to Joey G. NFL WATCH: (Written pre-Saturday games and I’m keeping my original predictions in!) Wild-card weekend is here, and I’m backing the Chiefs (edit: Do’h!) and the Jets. As such, neither will win the Super Bowl (The Chiefs definitely won’t!) My picks? Going against the FFL champ, Philly will beat the Giants comfortably. Again. Indy – Kansas will be a shoot-out in the way Indy – Cincy was meant to have been, and with Larry on the team, the Chiefs may, just may, gain revenge for ’95 and get the upset that Wild Card weekend churns out. Indeed, if not here, the Jets to repeat in Boston. Something is nagging away at me, saying the Jets could, just could, surprise the world with at least an appearance in America’s Game. However, as nagging is an irritant, I’ll ignore the feeling, as all men should… Seattle – Dallas? I really don’t care, but I’ll say the Cowboys because Holmgren was a prat in fielding Alexander and Hasselbeck for the Buccaneers game – risk injuring your two best players so you guarantee a non-losing season? Green and Mora fired? Welcome to the anti-shock of the off-season. NEWSFLASH! Saban in quitting the pro’s shocker! Returns to college with the anti-Christ Crimson Tide! This was always going to happen as he never truly felt comfortable in the pro’s, although at the start of December saying “I will not join Alabama” was a bit stupid. (Update – I’m 0 out of 2 thus far in Wild Card Weekend – Come on the Jets and Philly!) Thanks for reading, and a happy new year to all! Jon, Jon, Jon. I hate to say it (my, what a little fibber I am..!) but I told you so. Maurice Stovall looks good. Very good. So good in fact, I take pleasure in saying that he should have been playing since my first few columns on Bucpower.com! He’s our second receiver, behind Joey G and ahead of Ike Hilliard (speaking of Ike, kudos to you for saying Stovall should take your spot in the team – actions like that make Bucs fan’s the world over proud!). His blocking is excellent, he can catch the ball, and he’s no slow coach. In fact, the only problem is that he’s Anthony Becht and Alex Smith rolled into one, with a further dose of youth and potential – it’s been mentioned he could play tight end next season, and having him and Alex Smith would certainly shake the offense up – who knows, our own Antonio Gates? Cleveland were dreadful, of that there can be no doubt, and I feel so sorry for them that I’m inclined to say that they should take the 3rd draft pick, and for us to forego the coin toss. That, however, would be a lie. The Seahawks game brought all those who base their team analysis on solely the past game a magnificent wakeup call. We were dire. Poor. Shockingly bad. You’re not as good (or bad) as your last game, the analysis can, in truth, only be completed after 16 games. At 4-12 we are officially, the joint 3rd worst team in the NFL, with only Oakland and Detroit being worse than us. We are officially, as bad as the Browns and WORSE than the Crads. Sure, we’ve played below our talent level, but why were we allowed to do so for 16 games? With the rookie of the year, the runner up from 2005, players who’ve made a name for themselves – Derrick Brooks, Shelton Quarles, Michael Pittman, Ronde Barber, how are we a 4 Win team? There are no excuses, and the buck stops with Coach Gruden. I have in the past said we should at least think about replace Chucky this off-season, but with several teams having already announced coaching changes, I feel we’re leaving it too late to consider others. Gruden is in the last-chance saloon. No salary cap problems, 3 top 64 picks, and a good core on offense, the MINIMUM for next season in a play-off place. The schedule, on paper, isn’t as tough, and success is a must. It is essential, expected and required by the fans, players, employees and, of course, the Glazers. Jon knows this, and his stock within the NFL will take a hit next year if he fails. Draft wise, everyone, myself included, sees our need as a Defensive End (Gaines Adams), Wide Receiver (Calvin Johnson) or Left Tackle (Joe Thomas). All 3 spots need addressing this spring, although until the combine we will not have a clear indication of what to expect, although with our coaching staff looking after the North Pro-Bowl team in Mobile, Alabama, here’s hoping we have a Cadillac MK2! Richard Lowe, January 2007